CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

21/12

ACROSS

1. Taking the plunge with the directors found at poolside (6-5)

8. An entry in half the picket that causes widespread alarm (5)

9. Divorcee named as co-respondent gets in a state about it (7)

10. Lead one to suppose start of gore can be created with gusset (7)

11. In our situation, a party may be detected by nose (5)

12. With no uncertainty there’s American backing to count on (6)

14. Presumably not paths highwaymen trod (6)

18. Renovate campanile last constructed by Wren (5)

19. Vacation, in short, for almost a term: pack rod in it (7)

21. Straws for eights and their like (7)

23. Fit one out incorrectly to create feeling of annoyance (5)

24. Manage to see people finish art with sense of good taste (11)

DOWN

1. Attests how one gets rid of one in high station (7)

2. Nursery head-case needed it with brown paper (7)

3. Father leaves 8 and he finds space for himself (5)

4. A very little air to be distributed in the bar (6)

5. New York made havoc with it, which is fishy (7)

6. Part of the eye, one is told, on the which to be prompt (3)

7. Cried out for scrumpy (5)

13. Unruly minor holding boring instrument (7)

15. Quite an adjustment needed to make it old and rare (7)

16. Present a different sort of belly-creeper (7)

17. She-cat might have been unsullied (6)

18. Round this nursery murder victim there’s a petition (5)

20. Flower I pull up endlessly before season ends (5)

22. What’s more, it comes after ampers in shortened form (3)